Chapter 9 Summary

The Karr family heads out on vacation toward the Seattle World's Fair after Charlie is released from the hospital. While passing through a particularly gorgeous stretch of Colorado, Charlie insists on getting out of the car so she can take in the view. Mary pipes up with a complaint from the backseat because she wants to make it to the hotel before the pool closes. After a full-blown argument unfolds, Pete jerks the car to the shoulder, and Charlie's desire to paint wins out. In the same vein, Charlie impulsively decides to buy a house in the random mountain town they are stopped in. With no logic or foresight, the Karrs end up living in Cascade, Colorado.

The boldest use of Grandma Moore's inheritance money is the purchase of their mountain home. The house itself is ostentatious - modern architecture with picture windows overlooking the woods. Before...